Mason Jar Monday January 19, 2009

Mason Jars as Biscuit Cutters

(Shown here for cutting pastry dough but can be used for biscuits also)

Buttermilk Biscuit Recipe

2 cups of self rising flour

(I’ve heard from multiple sources that White Lily Flour is the best as it is winter soft wheat and tastes the best)

1/3 cup of shortening

2/3 cup of buttermilk

melted butter

1. Combine flour and shortening.

2. Add in buttermilk and mix for approx. 1 minute.

3. Roll out to about 3/4- 1 in thickness and cut with your mason jar.

4.  Bake at 450 for about 8 min.

5. Brush tops with melted butter.

6. Enjoy!

Mason Jar Monday September 29, 2008

Mason Jar Blender or Food Processor

Excerpt from Simply Recipes

“Did you know that many, if not most, blenders can be used with a standard mason jar, or wide-mouthed mason jar? This is a trick my mother taught me. Apparently 40 years ago or so, about the time this blender pictured was bought, manufacturers used to include a mason jar in the box with the blender. Mom recalls even a booklet that listed the many things one could make with the mason jar blender, including ground spices, whipped cream, and peanut butter. We use this trick most often to make whipped cream. The blender whips it right in the jar, so if we have extra, it’s already in a jar for storage. And it is easier when it comes to making small quantities.

I was complaining the other day that I needed a spice grinder. My mother reminded me of the mason jar trick and it worked perfectly. Here’s how to do it. I’m using walnuts to demonstrate, but you could use this trick with just about anything you want to blend, chop, or grind.

Tip: Blender and Mason Jar

Method

Step 1: Remove the base from the regular blender container.

Step 2: Screw on the base to the mason jar. Make sure it is nice and tight.

Step 3: Invert the jar and place on the blender.

Step 4: Use as you would a food processor. Pulse or blend to desired degree.”

Mason Jar Monday August 18, 2008

Good Morning!

I am pretty much addicted to browsing Flickr.com anytime that I upload new photos and I came across some images today that were perfect for Mason Jar Monday.  So the photographer gets her credit, here is the link to her Randsburg Ghost Town Collection that I found these pictures in.  Flickr.com doesn’t let you save images from their website so you will have to click here to see this creative use of a mason jar!  Here is another angle.

This inspired me to do some research on DIY mason jars turned light fixtures! These instructions are courtesy of Design Sponge.

mason jar lights

what you’ll need:
-vintage mason jars
-hanging lamp kit with low wattage bulbs (try your local lighting store, home depot or lowes)
-ceiling light plate

1. punch holes in each mason jar lid, large enough to fit the light bulb cords through (appx. 1 inch). as always, be safe and use gloves and a steady hand when punching holes. to punch the hole you can use either a hammer and nails (which you’ll need to then widen for the cords) or a larger tool that you can tap through.

2. unscrew the lid, insert the bulbs into each jar, feeding the cord through the holes in the lid. whitney suggests using a lamp kit that includes tension clasps to keep the bulb from sliding.

3. tighten the lid back on the jar and adjust the bulb to its desired height (using the tension clasps).

4. using a store-bought ceiling light plate- drill holes into the plate to pull all of your cords through (depending on how many jar-lights you will be hanging). pull the lights through, allowing enough cord to hang the lights at your desired height, and then tie a knot at the top to keep them from falling back through the ceiling plate.

5. contact your local electrician to install the lights into your ceiling- we do not suggest trying to install these yourself unless you’re a trained electrician.